Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Getting more . . .

who doesn’t want more?

(Insert slide Church of Christ Assembly Picture)

Christian assemblies can vary greatly, from the all hyped up with no sustenance (Word) to all Word and no Spirit.

Where do we find the right balance?

Does it matter really as long as we are here in the assembly?

“To get more you have to give more”

(Slide) As we start this series entitled “Getting more” we will look at somethings in general regarding the assembly -and how we may get more from them and by getting more we have more to give to others.

(Slide) Assembly in general

(Slide) Singing

(Slide) Prayers

(Slide) Lord’s Supper

(Slide) Collection

(Slide) Preaching and Bible class

David was a man after God’s own heart, he was known for that, not because he said it but because God said it about him.

or the N.T. version that is more specific to David

David was glad for the assembly

Psm122:1

Are we glad or obligated when it comes to the assembly?

This series is about looking at the assembly and the aspects of it to help us deepen our gladness in our assembly.

What we do in our assembly is important it is what others see when they come in the door.

It is what inspires us to dig deeper in our worship and devotion to our Lord.

Not only was he glad, he wanted others to be glad and join him.

Shout joyfully, serve with gladness, come with joyful singing.

It’s OK to say “amen” it’s OK to say “hallelujah” and to sing with joy, not a durge but a song of praise and adoration

Why do these things, because God is God and God made us, we are His people when we realize that more and more we will want to enter with thanksgiving, and praise, and bless His name.

How do we bless His name?

When we meet together, when we gather together.

He inhabits the praises of His people.

When we gather together, when we pray together, when we study together, when we break bread together these things enthrone the Lord, they exalt Him.

(Slide) Now we have to admit there are many in assemblies who are

(Slide) Not engaged, not really interested

(Slide) Some come not expecting to get anything

(Slide) Some are dead because of the songs and the preaching

(Slide) Guest’s will notice that

Do people like this have a working personal intimate relationship with the Lord?

Do they not understand who the Lord is and what they have in the Lord?

That is a scary verse isn’t it?

we will talk about how to guard your steps tonight

I want us all to look forward to the Lord’s Day and any other day we get to meet together where we can draw closer

C

Notice the plural use in this verse, the Christian assembly we should draw near with confidence!

Jesus wants to save forever those who draw near, and to make intercession for them.

We are reminded of our salvation and continued salvation when we meet together in the assembly.

If not, then I’m not doing what you engaged me to do.

As we get into this “getting more” series my desire is that each of us, including me can start to get more out of our assembly so we can give more to others.

Our first study tonight is on

ie

“(Slide) Assembling Together”

I. Church Assemblies

Heb10:2

(Slide) A. Church assembly is important

If you noticed I started with Heb10:25 and it was in the middle of a sentence so we better check things in context for it is important

(Slide) Some reasons for the assembly

(Slide) that we might exhort one another

(Slide) To build up, encourage one another

(Slide) It is an important part of worship

(Slide) It is for mutual edification

Another reason, to keep each other saved

(Slide) There is a chance when we don’t put to use what we have in Christ that our heart may become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

The solution is to put into place a time of mutual edification (hence the assembly)

Who has become irregular in meeting?

Who used to sit next to you that is not there anymore.

Reach out to them, let them know you are thinking about them and you care for them and they should come and meet regular.

Don’t let apostasy set in on anyone and one of those signs is irregular attendance in the assembly.

B. (Slide) Church assembly provides opportunities

Now we are talking about church assembly that there is a pattern set in the N.T. on when

First day of the week

We have the opportunity to meet regular on a weekly basis, we come with a purpose

*Expand on that!

Now Timothy was taught the pattern to teach the pattern to others.

We meet together and teach the importance to others to meet together.

Now meeting together does not need to be limited to the assembly, there is small groups, home fellowships and individual bible studies

to preach the word is to proclaim the word and we need to be ready wherever we are and when it comes to reprove that is most often not going to happen in the assembly but on a smaller basis all of which are to spur growth, maturity in Christ and for Christ.

we

We want to evangelize the lost and edify the saved and make them into one body the church.

Small groups, home fellowships are oftentimes more intimate than the assembly and can work hand in hand with the assembly (insert illustration/story here)

We know, we have seen where the assembly is not priority anymore, which means they are not getting much out of them.

Part of the issue can be pointed to me as the preacher, is what I’m preaching relevant, is it necessary, it is true and is it impacting?

But then on the other hand maybe its the people and here are som ways to “get more” from the assemblies

II.

Getting more from assemblies

A. (Slide) Be ready

(Slide) What do you do when you start your day, what do you do to prepare for your day? - we prepare for work, we prepare for school, we should prepare for the assembly too.

Are you familiar with the term

(Slide) “We get out of something what we put into it” - you want to mature in Christ, then put into Christ, make Him your priority.

If you want something out of the assembly then be willing to put into the assembly.

This is no different that any other endeavor we have in life.

Even the mundane, what seems to be boring can be interesting with the right preparation on the preachers part and the listeners part.

(Slide) So, be prepared

(Slide) Spend time in prayer and meditation before assembly

(Slide) Come early greet and meet with people

(Slide) Come to serve not just be served

(Slide) Preparation starts the night before

(Slide) Get a good nights sleep

(Slide) Get up and ready with time to spare

(Slide) If you have scriptures or passage that will be looked at read it over

— a little effort can make all the difference in what you get out of the assembly

(Slide) If you have the scriptures or passage we will be looking at, read it over